Sorbent and Devices for Capturing, Stabilizing and Recovering Volatile and Semi-volatile Compounds

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an improved sorbent and corresponding device(s) and uses thereof for the capture and stabilization of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) from a gaseous atmosphere. The sorbent is capable of rapid and high uptake of one or more compounds and provides quantitative release (recovery) of the compound(s) when exposed to elevated temperature and/or organic solvent. Uses of particular improved grades of mesoporous silica are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns systems, apparatuses, and methods used to capture, stabilize, and recover volatile and semi-volatile compounds. More particularly, the invention concerns sorbent materials useful in sampling chemical vapors for area monitoring and personal exposure monitoring through the application of diffusive samplers (passive dosimeters). The invention also includes a means of pre-concentrating chemical vapors present in very small amounts to facilitate atmospheric sampling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Industrial, medical, office, and military personnel, as well as people who live or work in residential buildings, can be exposed to a broad range of potentially toxic compounds. This potential for exposure makes environmental monitoring important. However, in some cases monitoring proves difficult, because the person may be highly mobile throughout the day or week; and move from one potential exposure area to the next. In other cases, the person may be working or living in a rugged and sometimes remote location that requires sending collected samples to a distant lab for analysis. Also, there is always a possibility that a person may be exposed to an unknown or unidentified toxic compound whose effect may not be known or experienced until long after the exposure ends.

The art discloses devices for capture of volatile compounds: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,370,749, 7,955,574, 9,412,573, 9,914,087, 9,901,843, 9,783,417, 9,643,186, 9,249,241, 9,079,049, 8,955,515, 8,668,873, 8,561,484, 8,500,852, 8,011,224 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,295,308, 9,370,749 to Addleman et al. discloses a porous multi-component material for capture and separation of species of interest. The material includes a substrate and a composite thin film, which comprises a combination of porous polymer and nanostructured material. The requirement of the porous polymer along with the nanostructured material is disadvantageous, because there is a significant potential of thermal degradation of the porous polymer during thermal desorption analysis of the composite thin film and a significant potential of contamination, by monomeric and dimeric species, of an extract during solvent extraction of the composite thin film.

Apblett et al. (“Synthesis of mesoporous silica grafted with 3-glycidylpropyltrimethoxy-silane” in Mater. Let. (2009), 63(27), 2331-2334; “Preparation of mesoporous silica with grafted chelating agents for uptake of metal ions” in Chemical Engineering Journal (2009), 155(3), 916-924; “Metal ion adsorption using polyamine-functionalized mesoporous materials prepared from bromopropyl-functionalized mesoporous silica” in Journal of Hazardous Materials (2010), 182, 581-590; “3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane functionalized mesoporous materials and uptake of metal Ions” in Asian J. Chem. (2011), 23(2), 541-546) disclose the synthesis of mesoporous silica covalently grafted with various different silane groups, e.g. 3-glycidylpropyl-silane, 3-aminopropyl-silane, by treatment of mesoporous silica (OSU-6-W) with a trialkoxysilane or trihalosilane. The material was used for adsorption of divalent transition metal from aqueous solution. The OSU-6-W was prepared according to a modified method of Tuel et al. (“Synthesis and Characterization of trivalent metal containing mesoporous silicas obtained by a neutral templating route” in Chem. Mater. (1996), 8, 114) or according to a modified method of Apblett et al. (“Preparation of mesoporous silica with grafted chelating agents for uptake of metal ions” in Chemical Engineering Journal (2009), 155(3), 916-924).

Mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type (hexagonal; CAS 7631-86-9; linear formula SiO₂; MW 60.08) is available from Sigma Aldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.) and is known to possess the following physical properties.

Linear formula SiO₂ Form White powder Pore size (diameter) 2-10 nm Pore volume 0.5-2.0 cm³/g Surface area ~1000 m²/g (BET)

Additional grades of MCM-41 mesoporous silica are also available.

Prior art monitoring devices, such as area sensors and personal dosimeters, also make use of passive sampling media such as activated charcoal and complex polymers. While this media can capture a variety of volatile and semi-volatile compounds, its capacity, rate of uptake, and storage stability are limited. For example, storage stability is typically limited to about 14 to 28 days post-exposure. This length of time can be too short where collected samples must be sent to a distant lab or where the sample must be stored for longer periods of time for future analysis or identification.

It would be a significant advance in the field of monitoring of volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds to provide a device with the ability to capture extremely low to high amounts of a wide array of structurally diverse target compound(s) while at the same time being capable of long-term storage without excessive desorption or degradation of the captured compound(s). It would also be a significant advance in the field to provide devices comprising sorbent excluding organic polymers, which can interfere with thermal desorption-based and extraction-based methods for quantitation of the captured compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an improved sorbent and corresponding devices that overcomes one or more disadvantages of known monitoring devices. The sorbent and device of the invention are capable of capturing and stabilizing low to high amounts of one or more volatile organic compound(s) (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compound(s) (SVOC) present in a gaseous environment, i.e. airborne VOC or SVOC. The sorbent also facilitates subsequent quantitative recovery of the captured compound(s). The device can be a dosimeter, a training device, a preconcentrator, a filter, or other know device for capturing and/or temporarily retaining VOC or SVOC.

The sorbent can also be incorporated into a training device and training methods. In one aspect, the training device comprises a substrate (body), and sorbent medium onto which one or more VOC or SVOC has been adsorbed. The training device can be used to train animals that sense airborne VOC or SVOC compounds or as controls for other devices (instruments) that sense airborne VOC or SVOC compounds.

The dosimeter can be used to monitor the presence of such compounds in a gaseous environment, such as a work area. Embodiments of the dosimeter with adsorbed VOC or SVOC exhibit long-term storage stability for up to 18 weeks with regard to the adsorbed compound(s), meaning the adsorbed compound undergoes little to no degradation or desorption during storage at room temperature or in a refrigerator (+6° C. to +24° C.). Of an exceptional advance is the sorbent ability to stabilize reactive species within the nanopores at room temperature. Such species would chemically react with typical polymer-based dosimeters even under refrigeration.

The device of the invention can be adapted to almost any known format of passive sampling device. It can be a badge, rod, tube, pen, plate, or any other form that allows contact with the environment.

One aspect of the invention provides a device comprising a sorbent (a porous medium) that, at ambient conditions, passively captures (adsorbs, entraps) one or more VOC or SVOC present in a gaseous atmosphere, i.e. one or more airborne VOC or SVOC, and, when exposed to elevated temperatures or organic solvent, releases the captured one or more compounds. This means the VOC or SVOC can be removed from the sorbent by thermal desorption and/or solvent extraction. The porous medium is adhered onto a substrate and does not require inclusion of a porous polymer or other polymer within the porous medium to adhere the porous medium onto the substrate. The sorbent may be in powder, pellet form, or applied on the surface of a substrate.

The sorbent can be applied onto the substrate uniformly or non-uniformly. The layer(s) of sorbent on the substrate can be divided into two or more sections. Each section may comprise the same amount of sorbent, or two or more of the sections may comprise different amounts of sorbent. The substrate can also be sectioned. (FIGS. 6A and 6B) The sections can be separated and stored for different purposes, e.g. immediate sampling, sample archiving (storage), etc.

Specific embodiments of the invention include those wherein: a) the porous medium is nanoporous; b) the porous medium comprises silica; c) the porous medium comprises nanoporous silica; d) the porous medium further comprises one or more adsorption modifiers; e) the dosimeter comprises a body (substrate) onto which the porous medium has been applied; f) the porous medium excludes a porous polymer; g) the porous medium is non-covalently bound to the substrate; h) the porous medium comprises mesoporous silica; g) the porous medium comprises mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type having hexagonal cylindrical (tubular) pore structure; and/or h) the sorbent (porous medium) excludes an organic polymer. The mesoporous silica can also be dispersed in a support material such as glass wool to fabricate filters.

In some embodiments, the sorbent (porous medium) is a functionalized sorbent, meaning it has been functionalized with one or more adsorption modifier functional groups that improve (in at least one aspect) the adsorption of particular VOC or SVOC. Embodiments of the invention include those wherein: a) the one or more adsorption modifier functional groups are covalently bound to the porous medium; b) the one or more adsorption modifier functional groups are non-covalently bound to the porous medium; c) the mass content of functional groups in the porous medium as determined by thermogravimetric analysis is in the range of 20-25%; or d) a combination of any two or more thereof.

The sorbent can comprise a single porous medium or a combination of porous mediums. Embodiments of the invention include those wherein: a) the sorbent comprises non-functionalized mesoporous silica; b) the sorbent comprises functionalized mesoporous silica; c) the sorbent comprises a mixture of non-functionalized mesoporous silica and one or more functionalized mesoporous silicas; or d) the sorbent comprises a mixture of non-functionalized mesoporous silica, a first functionalized mesoporous silica, and a second functionalized mesoporous silica. The weight ratio of non-functionalized mesoporous silica to functionalized mesoporous silica can range from about 1:100 to about 100:1.

Grafting of mesoporous silica with biphenyl- and methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functional groups in many cases increases its affinity to non-polar and polar VOC, respectively. In various mixes of functionalized and non-functionalized sorbents, the contents of functionalized sorbent ranges between 0 to about 30 wt % with the remainder comprising the non-functionalized sorbent. In some embodiments, the composition comprises: a) about 50 wt % of non-functionalized sorbent, about 30 wt % of biphenyl-functionalized sorbent, and about 20 wt % of methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized sorbent; b) about 40-60 wt % of non-functionalized sorbent, about 40-20 wt % of biphenyl-functionalized sorbent, and about 30-10 wt % of methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized sorbent; or c) about 30-70 wt % of non-functionalized sorbent, about 1-50 wt % of biphenyl-functionalized sorbent, and about 1-40 wt % of methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized sorbent.

In some embodiments, the functionalized sorbent of the invention exhibits increased uptake rate, slower rate of desorption, and decreased maximum uptake capacity as compared to the native non-functionalized sorbent.

The porous medium releases the adsorbed (captured or entrapped) volatile organic compound(s) (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compound(s) (SVOC) when the porous medium is exposed to heat or reduced pressure or organic solvent. The porous medium releases at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 92.5%, at least about 95%, at least about 97.5%, at least about 99%, or all of the adsorbed VOC or SVOC when subjected to tests for quantitation of the adsorbed compound(s). In other words, the porous medium provides at least 75% recovery of VOC or SVOC. In some embodiments, the porous medium quantitatively releases the adsorbed compound(s). The porous medium stabilizes and protects adsorbed VOC and SVOC from decomposition for a period of at least about 30 days or more.

The sorbent (porous medium) exhibits different affinities (adsorption capacity) for different classes VOC's or SVOC's differing in vapor pressure. The sorbent can be used to adsorb compounds having a vapor pressure ranging from very low (such as 0.013 kPa for naphthalene) to very high (such as 101 kPa for acetaldehyde). Accordingly, the sorbent (and corresponding device(s)) is suitable for adsorption of compounds having a vapor pressure≥0.00002 mmHg.

Embodiments of the invention include those wherein the porous medium can adsorb compounds from one or more of the following classes of compounds: aromatic hydrocarbon, non- aromatic hydrocarbon, alkylhalide, alkylaldehyde, polar organic compound, non-polar organic compound, explosive, narcotic, controlled substance, illegal substance, industrial chemical, commodity chemical, pesticide, herbicide, poison, solvent, nitramines, pyrethroids, nitroaromatics, tetrazoles, organochlorines (e.g. PCB, PCDF, PCDD), PAHs, carbonyl compounds, fuels, chlorinated solvent, or other such materials.

More specific embodiments of the invention include those wherein the porous medium is functionalized with the following adsorption modifier(s) and exhibits enhanced affinity for respective organic volatile compounds included in the following table:

Adsorption modifier Enhanced affinity towards the following class(es) of volatile organic compound(s) Biphenyl group Fuels Methoxytriethylenoxypropyl- Chlorinated solvents, carbonyl group compounds

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of capturing one or more volatile organic compounds (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) from a gaseous atmosphere, the method comprising:

-   exposing a mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type (hexagonal) to an     atmosphere comprising the one or more VOC and/or one or more SVOC,     thereby capturing the one or more VOC and/or one or more SVOC.

Embodiments of the method include those wherein: a) the gaseous atmosphere is at ambient pressure and temperature; b) the gaseous atmosphere is at about 20-50° C. and about 265-1080 mbar; c) the mesoporous silica is non-functionalized; d) the mesoporous silica is functionalized; e) the mesoporous silica comprises non-functionalized mesoporous silica and one or more functionalized mesoporous silicas; f) the mesoporous silica is a silane functionalized mesoporous silica; g) the mesoporous silica is a defined herein.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of providing plural samples of sorbent differing in exposure time limit, the method comprising:

-   providing a device comprising plural separate sections of sorbent,     each section in a respective sealed receptacle; -   unsealing a first receptacle comprising a first section of sorbent,     exposing said first section to VOC or SVOC for a first period of     time, and then sealing the first receptacle; -   unsealing a second receptacle comprising a second section of     sorbent, exposing said second section to VOC or SVOC for a second     period of time, and then sealing the second receptacle; wherein -   the first and second receptacles can be unsealed at the same or     different times.

Embodiments of the invention include those wherein: a) the first and second receptacles are separately (independently) sealable; b) the first and second receptacles are separately (independently) unsealable; c) the first period of time is different than the second period of time; d) the first time period is the same as the second time period; e) both receptacles are unsealed at the same time; f) both receptacles are sealed at the same time; g) the receptacles are unsealed at different times; h) the receptacles are sealed at different times; i) the first period of time is less than the second period of time; j) the first period of time is greater than the first period of time; or k) a combination of any two or more thereof.

Another aspect of the inventions provides a method of training an animal to sense one or more VOC or SVOC, the method comprising:

-   exposing a mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type (hexagonal) to an     atmosphere comprising the one or more VOC and/or one or more SVOC,     thereby forming a compound-containing mesoporous silica; and -   exposing the animal to the compound-containing mesoporous silica.

Embodiments of the method include those wherein the method further comprises one or more of the following steps: a) hiding the compound-containing mesoporous silica before exposing the animal to it; b) placing the compound-containing mesoporous silica away from the animal; c) allowing the animal to search for the compound-containing mesoporous silica; d) rewarding the animal after it finds the compound-containing mesoporous silica.

The method of training is particularly suitable for training bomb-sniffing or drug-sniffing animals, particular those used by the armed services or law enforcement.

The sorbent and devices of the invention are also suitable for use as control or test samples in security screening procedures that employ devices that sense illegal or dangerous VOC or SVOC.

The invention includes all combinations of the embodiments, sub-embodiments and aspects disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention includes the embodiments and aspects specifically disclosed, broadly disclosed, or narrowly disclosed herein, as well as combinations thereof and subcombinations of the individual elements of said embodiments and aspects.

Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by the following description, accompanying examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following figures form part of the present description and describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are instead intended to illustrate the general principles of the invention as further described herein. Although specific embodiments are described below with specific reference to the drawings provided, other embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The skilled artisan will, in light of these figures and the description herein, be able to practice the invention without undue experimentation.

FIG. 1A depicts a generalized drawing of the structure of the mesoporous silica of the invention.

FIG. 1B depicts a TEM (transmission electron microscope) image of an end view of a mesoporous silica particle.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict exemplary BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms for the non-functionalized (FIG. 2A) and methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized (MP-functionalized) mesoporous silica (FIG. 2B).

FIG. 3 depicts pore size (radius measured in Angstroms) distributions of the functionalized and non-functionalized sorbents analyzed using the BJH model.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict charts summarizing the measured uptake capacities and the maximum desorption temperature for the target analytes (VOC or SVOC) from the surface of the improved non-functionalized mesoporous silica MCM-41 type of the invention. Analyte uptake capacities and maximum desorption temperatures determined for non-functionalized XploSafe sorbent and select target analytes (VOC or SVOC) are provided.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary thermograph for desorption of benzene from various different sorbents.

FIG. 6A depicts a top plan view of a device comprising plural uniform sections of sorbent on a surface.

FIG. 6B depicts a perspective of an alternative device comprising plural different sections of sorbent on a surface.

FIG. 7 depicts a chart summarizing the relative mass changes measured for sorbate (compound) loaded sorbent samples and non-functionalized OSU-6 sorbents after 18 weeks of storage at +24° C.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of an alternative device of the invention.

FIG. 9A depicts a top plan view of the device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of the device of FIG. 9A along sectional view line A-A.

FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of a device of an alternative device of the invention.

FIG. 11A depicts a top plan view of the device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of the device of FIG. 11A along sectional view line B-B.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an alternative device of the invention.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict perspective views of some of the components of the device of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of a partially disassembled alternate device of the invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict a perspective view of an alternative device of the invention assembled in two different arrangements.

FIG. 16 depicts an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 15B.

FIG. 17 depicts an exploded perspective view of an alternative device of the invention.

FIG. 18 depicts an exploded perspective view of an alternative device of the invention.

FIG. 19 depicts an exploded view of an alternate device of the invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20B depict exemplary FTIR spectra for (1) pure OSU-6, (2) methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized OSU-6, (3) biphenyl-functionalized OSU-6, and (4) octyl-functionalized OSU-6 powders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides improved silica-based sorbent(s) and use(s) thereof and devices containing the same.

The sorbent and devices of the invention provide numerous improvements over known sorbents and devices: a) improved sampling rates; b) improved stabilization and retention of VOC or SVOC during storage and handling at temperatures ranging from −20° C. to 35° C.; c) reduced degradation and/or desorption of VOC or SVOC; d) ability to conduct two different exposure tests with the same device; e) reduced or no organic contribution from sorbent during thermal desorption analysis; f) ability to conduct analysis by two different methods, e.g. solvent extraction and thermal desorption, using sorbent from the same device; g) quantifiable analyte (VOC or SVOC) recovery of at least 90% for most compounds; h) low limits of quantitation; i) low limits of detection; and/or j) improved rate of adsorption of VOC or SVOC as compared to other sorbents.

As used herein, the term “OSU-6” is taken to mean non-functionalized mesoporous silica, the term “MP-OSU-6” is taken to mean methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized OSU-6, the term “OT-OSU-6” is taken to mean octyl-functionalized OSU-6, and the term “BP-OSU-6” is taken to mean biphenyl-functionalized OSU-6.

As used herein, the term “non-functionalized mesoporous silica” (or “non-functionalized sorbent”) refers to mesoporous silica that has not been functionalized with one or adsorption modifiers.

As used herein, the term “sorbate” refers to VOC or SVOC captured by (or adsorbed by) the sorbent.

The mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 (hexagonal tubular pores structure) types exhibits a tertiary or quaternary structure characterized by stacked layers of hexagonally-shaped parallel tubes. FIG. 1 depicts a generalized rendition of its structure.

Embodiments of the invention include those wherein the porous medium is an improved grade of MCM-41 type mesoporous silica that possesses one or more, and preferably a combination of two or more, of the following properties:

Property Minimum value Range of values Linear formula SiO₂ polymer Form powder Pore structure Hexagonal tubes Pore size (diameter) >2 nm about 2 to about 30 nm about 2 to about 15 nm about 5 to about 10 nm average about 8 nm Pore volume >0.5 cm³/g about 0.5 to about 2.0 cm³/g about 1.0 to about 2.0 cm³/g about 1.2 to about 1.7 cm³/g average about 0.5-0.7 ml/g Surface area at least 600 m²/g about 600 to about 1000 m²/g and up to 900 m²/g about 700 to about 1000 m²/g about 800 to about 1000 m²/g greater than about 700 m²/g Channel wall >2 nm about 2 to about 5 nm thickness about 2 to about 4 nm about 2 to about 3 nm

The grade of MCM-41 mesoporous silica of the invention exhibits a large pore size, a high pore volume, and, when compared to conventional grades of MCM-41, exhibits thicker channel walls, higher thermal stability (up to 950° C.), and higher hydrothermal stability (which is expressed in terms of changes to sorbent porosity after treatment in boiling water for more than 25 hours. In some embodiments, the mesoporous silica of the invention exhibits no, or less than 10%, or less than 5% change in sorbent porosity after treatment in boiling water for more than 25 hours.

Preferred embodiments of the mesoporous silica are prepared according to the procedure of Example 1.

A generalized procedure for preparation of the mesoporous silica is as follows. A templating solution is prepared by mixing a templating material in water and agitating the mixture for form a substantially uniform foam or froth, which might appear to be a paste. A silica solution is formed by mixing tetraalkylorthosilicate in solvent (e.g. alcohol or mixture of alcohols). The templating solution is stirred and an acidic solution is added (incrementally or continuously) to it. To that mixture, the silica solution is added while mixing to form a precursor mixture. Water is then added to the precursor mixture while lightly mixing and that mixture is left standing for a period of days at room temperature. The mesoporous silicate is then separated from the supernatant and washed with water and then ethanol. A more detailed description for preparation of the mesoporous silica is provided in Example 1.

X-ray diffraction analysis of the OSU-6 depicts three well-resolved diffraction peaks in the region of 2Θ=1-5°, which can be indexed to the (100), (110) and (200) diffractions, characteristic of the formation of well-arranged hexagonal mesostructures.

The SEM (scanning electron microscopy) image of the OSU-6 shows a narrow particle size distribution and well defined spherical particles. The particle size of the OSU-6 was in the range of about 250 nm to about 1500 nm.

The TEM (transmission electron microscopy) image of the OSU-6 shows the presence of well-defined pore channels with diameters of about 5 nm (about 2 to about 30 nm) and wall thickness of about 2 nm about 1 to about 5 nm).

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict exemplary BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms for the non-functionalized (FIG. 2A) and methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized (MP-functionalized) mesoporous silica (FIG. 2B). Adsorption/desorption isotherms are used to characterize the surface area, pore volume, and pore size distributions of the sorbent. The non-functionalized sorbent (FIG. 2A) contains type IV isotherms, which are associated with the capillary condensation of adsorbate into mesopores, while the observed hysteresis of type A indicates that OSU-6 pores have cylindrical shapes. After functionalization (FIG. 2B), the hysteresis disappears, and the adsorption-desorption isotherms assumed the shapes of type II isotherms due to the attachment of functional groups to the pore walls.

The mesoporous silica can be non-functionalized or functionalized. In some embodiments, the porous medium, such as mesoporous silica, is functionalized with one or more adsorption modifier functional groups that enhance the binding of a VOC or SVOC. For example, the mesoporous silica is functionalized by treating it with a trialkoxyalkylsilane (R¹Si(OR²)₃), wherein:

-   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of aromatic group, alkyl     group, oxygen-containing alkyl groups, sulfur-containing alkyl     groups, nitrogen-containing alkyl groups, phenyl, biphenyl,     (C1-C8)-alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,     octyl, methoxytriethyleneoxypropyl, alkoxyalkyleneoxyalkyl,     haloalkyl, halo-(C1-C8)-alkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl,     polyaromatic, toluyl, fluoroalkyls, fluroaromatics, and their     combinations; and -   R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, C1-C12-alkyl,     with methyl, ethyl, and propyl being preferred, thereby forming a     silane-functionalized mesoporous silica comprising plural silane     groups R¹Si- covalently bound to oxygen molecules of the mesoporous     silica.

Exemplary trialkoxy silanes include:

Such a silane-functionalized mesoporous silica generally has the following chemical formula: silica-O—Si(R¹)(OR²)_(n)—O_(m)—; wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, and m is 2, 1, or 0, respectively. Functionalization of the mesoporous silica converts the silicon oxide/hydroxide surface within the pores of the mesoporous silica into the desired derivatives by formation of an organosilsequioxane polymer grafted to the surface of the silica.

Its high surface area allows the sorbent to uptake relatively large amounts of VOC and SVOC. The sorbent exhibits exceptional adsorption capacity, rate of capture and a high propensity to stabilize even compounds such as acetaldehyde and methylene chloride. After adsorption of VOC or SVOC, the sorbent can be introduced directly into the sample chamber of an analytical instrument, e.g. gas chromatograph and/or mass spectrometer, if desired, for rapid quantitation and/or identification of the adsorbed VOC or SVOC. In some embodiments, the sorbent retains an adsorbed VOC or SVOC even after exposure of a VOC-containing or SVOC-containing sorbent to a temperature of up to about 50° C. for a period of up to about a week (which was observed for compounds with relatively high maximum desorption temperatures such as 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and naphthalene).

Functionalized mesoporous silica can be made according to the following generalized procedure. Non-functionalized mesoporous silica is rendered anhydrous by removal of substantially all moisture, such as by azeotropic distillation and/or desiccation with or without heat and at atmospheric or reduced pressure. For example, the mesoporous silica is refluxed in dry organic liquid under dry atmosphere to remove moisture. The organic liquid is removed from the mesoporous silica by drying under heat at reduced pressure. The dried mesoporous silica is suspended in organic liquid and treated with triethanolamine (TEA) at room temperature to form TEA-mesoporous silica (TEA-MS). The TEA-MS solids are then separated from the supernatant. The recovered TEA-MS solids are washed with dry organic liquid, and optionally vacuum-dried. The TEA-MS is suspended in organic liquid and treated with functionalizing agent while heating and mixing. The functionalized mesoporous silica (MS) is separated from the supernatant and washed with organic liquid. Functionalization was performed according to Example 2.

Functionalized sorbent may exhibit different performance properties than non-functionalized sorbent. Example 9 describes the results of a study comparing the uptake capacities and uptake rates for four different sorbents. The data indicate that the uptake capacity of the sorbent decreases with surface functionalization which is mainly due to reduced surface area; however, an advantageous increase in the rate of uptake for specific target compounds was observed for the functionalized mesoporous silica.

The sorbent can comprise (or consist essentially of or consist of) non-functionalized sorbent, functionalized sorbent, or a combination (mixture) of non-functionalized sorbent and functionalized sorbent. In some embodiments, the sorbent comprises non-functionalized mesoporous silica, functionalized mesoporous silica, or a mixture of non-functionalized mesoporous silica and one or more functionalized mesoporous silicas. In some embodiments, non-functionalized sorbent comprises the majority of the mixture. In some embodiments, functionalized sorbent comprises the majority of the mixture. In some embodiments, non-functionalized sorbent and functionalized sorbent are present at about the same amount.

The weight ratio of non-functionalized sorbent to functionalized sorbent can range from about 1:100 to about 100:1 with all integer and fractional values therein being contemplated. In some embodiments, the ratio ranges from about 80:20 to about 20:80, about 70:30 to about 30:70, about 60:40 to about 40:60, about 80:20 to about 40:60, about 80:20, about 95:5, about 90:10, about 70:30, about 60:40, about 50:50, about 40:60, about 30:70, about 20:80, about 90:10, or about 95:5.

Exemplary suitable ranges for the weight percentage of the different types in the mixture can be as follows, wherein the sum total of the weight percentages is 100%.

Non-functionalized 1^(st) Functionalized 2^(nd) Functionalized sorbent sorbent sorbent (% wt) (% wt) (% wt) 100 0 0 about 80 or less up to about 10 10  about 75 or less up to about 15 up to about 10 about 50 or less up to about 30 up to about 20 about 5 to less up to about 95 0 than 100 up to about 95 about 5 to less 0 than 100 ^(a) about 5 to less less than about 95 less than about 95 than 100 ^(b) less than about 95 about 5 to less less than about 95 than about 100 ^(a) wherein the total of 1^(st) and 2^(nd) functionalized sorbent is up to 95% wt. ^(b) wherein the total of non-functionalized and 1^(st) functionalized sorbent is up to 95% wt.

Mixtures of non-functionalized mesoporous silica and one or more functionalized mesoporous silicas can be made according to Example 4, whereby two or more different types of mesoporous silica are mixed together. Such mixtures may exhibit different affinity (loading capacity) for the sorbate.

Example 9 provides a comparison of the uptake capacity for various mixtures of sorbent. As the sorbent is functionalized, the maximum uptake capacity decreases; however, the rate of capture is not necessarily decreased. In some embodiments, the functionalized sorbent of the invention exhibits increased uptake rate, slower rate of desorption, and decreased maximum uptake capacity as compared to the native non-functionalized sorbent.

The sorbent can be provided in compressed, non-compressed, pellet, tablet, beads, loose powder, bound powder, powder enclosed in porous container, powder in sachet or bag, thin film. The sorbent may or may not be affixed (attached, bound) to a substrate.

The invention also provides a method of adhering sorbent to a substrate, the method comprising: a) suspending the sorbent in organic liquid to form a suspension; b) depositing the suspension to a substrate; and c) removing the organic liquid, thereby leaving the sorbent adhered onto the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate comprises silica, silicate or inorganic crystal. The substrate can be activated by heat and/or chemical prior to adherence of the sorbent.

Materials suitable for making substrates to which the sorbent is affixed include glass fibers and monoliths, plastic fibers and monoliths, fabric threads and woven fibers, paper, and metal fibers and monoliths with fluoropolymer (e.g PTFE) or glass fibers and monoliths being preferred. Such material will generally be inert and will not adsorb or capture VOC or SVOC.

The porous medium can adsorb many different types of compounds, including but not limited to: aromatic hydrocarbon, non-aromatic hydrocarbon, alkylhalide, alkylaldehyde, polar organic compound, non-polar organic compound, explosive, narcotic, controlled substance, illegal substance, industrial chemical, commodity chemical, pesticide, herbicide, poison, solvent, or other material.

Exemplary explosives include, by way of example and without limitation, PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane), TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), TATP (triacetone triperoxide; tricyclic acetone peroxide), HMTD (hexamethylene triperoxide diamine; 3,4,8,9,12,13-Hexaoxa-1,6-diazabicyclo[4.4.4]tetradecane) or others.

Exemplary narcotics, controlled substances, or illegal substances include, by way of example and without limitation, Schedule I Controlled Substances such as heroin, LSD, marijuana, peyote, and ecstasy, Schedule II Controlled Substances such as Dilaudid, methadone, Demerol, OxyContin, Percocet, morphine, opium, codeine, amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall), and methamphetamine Schedule III Controlled Substances such as Vicodin, Codeine, Suboxone, ketamine, and anabolic steroids. Schedule IV Controlled Substances include Xanax, Soma, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, Versed, Restoril, Halcion or others.

Exemplary industrial or commodity compounds include, by way of example and without limitation, solvent(s), 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, Acetic acid, Acetone, Aroclor 1221, Benzylchloride, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chloroform, Chloropyrifos, Chrysene, Decalin, Dibenzofuran, Diethyl Ether, Ethanol, Ethylene oxide, Formic acid, Glutaraldehyde, Halothane, Hexadecane, Isoflurane, Isopropanol, Lindane, Malathion, Methanol, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl methacrylate, Naphthalene, Nitromethane, O-phthalaldehyde, PCB-209, Pyrene, Pyridine, Resmethrin, Styrene, Tetrahydrofuran (THF), Xylene (+Toluene), Aniline, Bifenthrin, Bisphenol A, Chloroxylenol, Cidex (O-phtalaldehyde), Desflurane, Dibutyl phthalate, Ethylbenzene, Hexachlorobenzene, Lindane, Perchloroethylene, Pyrene, Tricresylphosphate, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, Acetaldehyde, Acrolein, Benzene, Hexane, Methylene Chloride, Napthalene, Vinyl Acetate, Xylene, 1,2,3,4-tetrazole, 5-aminotetrazole, Dichlorovos, Octane, PCB 209, Permethrin, RDX, TNT, Trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,2,-dichlorotetrafluoroethane, acetaldehyde, acetone, acetonitrile, Acrolein, acrylonitrile, crotonaldehyde , ethyl alcohol, formaldehyde, freons, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylene chloride, Mono Ethyl Amine, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, polychlorinated biphenyls.

The uptake or loading capacity of the sorbent of the invention for VOC or SVOC was evaluated. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict charts summarizing the measured uptake capacities and the maximum desorption temperature for the target analytes (VOC or SVOC) from the surface of non-functionalized mesoporous silica (NFMS) of the invention. NFMS exhibits a high desorption temperature for aromatic hydrocarbons, such as naphthalene, xylene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and it exhibits a high uptake capacity for aldehydes, such as acetaldehyde. For the majority of target compounds with medium and high vapor pressure, the NFMS of the invention is able to uptake (capture, adsorb) at least about 1-fold its weight of VOC or SVOC.

The uptake capacities were obtained for a wide range of compounds on the surface of the functionalized OSU-6 sorbent. For all the studied compounds, the uptake capacities for the functionalized sorbents were slightly lower than those obtained for non-functionalized OSU-6 (mainly due to the reduction of the sorbent surface area after functionalization); however, the related adsorption rates were higher for the majority of the studied compounds, because of the possible chemical interactions between sorbate species and the surface functional groups. This effect was more pronounced for volatile compounds with relatively high vapor pressures such as methylene chloride, acetaldehyde, and hexane. For example, for hexane the rate constant value increased from 0.070 h⁻¹ (for non-functionalized OSU-6) to 0.092 h⁻¹ (for octyl-functionalized OSU-6) and to 0.11 h¹ (for biphenyl-functionalized OSU-6) since the non-polar hexane chains interact more actively with the non-polar biphenyl- and octyl-functional groups than with the non-functionalized OSU-6 surface.

Performance of the mesoporous silica of the invention was compared to literature reported values for uptake capacity of activated carbon. The results are depicted in the table below.

XploSafe Activated sorbent uptake carbon uptake capacity capacity Target (mg/mg (mg/mg # Class compound sorbent) sorbent)** 1 Polynuclear Naphthalene  0.221 ± 0.006* >0.056 Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 2 Carbonyl Vinyl acetate 1.34 ± 0.02 0.02 Compounds 3 Fuels Hexane 0.94 ± 0.01 0.053 Octane  0.98 ± 0.05* 0.056 Xylene 1.216 ± 0.008 >0.056 Benzene 1.268 ± 0.006 0.049 4 Chlorinated Trichloro- 2.10 ± 0.01 >0.056 solvents ethylene *Measured for 6-mm sorbent pellets ***Estimated using the data from literature (https.//www.assaytech.com/sampling-guide).

Accordingly, the sorbent of the invention, and devices containing it, substantially outperform activated carbon as a sorbent.

Knowledge of the desorption temperature of particular VOC or SVOC from the sorbent can be used to develop proper storage conditions for sorbents loaded with the respective compound(s). FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary thermograph for desorption of benzene from various different sorbents. The data were obtained according to Example 7. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict charts summarizing the observed maximum desorption temperature for the target analytes (VOC or SVOC) from the surface of the improved non-functionalized mesoporous silica MCM-41 type of the invention. Above the desorption temperature, the sorbate is thermally desorbed from the sorbent as evidenced by the decrease in sorbent weight and constant sorbent weight as the temperature increases.

The data indicate that the majority of the studied analytes are retained at the sorbent surface at temperatures below about 40° C., below about 45° C., or below about 50° C. In addition, the physical adsorption energy for the target compounds inside the pores appears to correlate with their vapor pressure since the analytes with relatively low vapor pressures (for example, xylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene) desorb from the non-functionalized and functionalized sorbates at much higher temperatures.

The sorbent employed in the invention comprises a porous medium that captures and stabilizes VOC and SVOC sorbate under ambient conditions and exhibits a desorption temperature of about 50° C. or higher for the VOC or SVOC. Example 10 provides the experimental procedure for sampling rate analysis. 15-Min and 8-hour exposure of target compounds at OSHA personal exposure limits (PEL) were obtained for sorbent. Effective sampling rates were obtained at 1/10 ^(th) and 10-fold OSHA PEL. The sorbent and devices of the invention provide equivalent or improved sampling rates as compared to reported literature on known devices. In preferred embodiments, the sorbent and devices of the invention provide sampling rates as described herein.

In view of the desorption temperature data, we conclude that RT storage (below 30° C.) and long storage times are possible. This is consistent with experimental studies.

By way of example, two dosimeters prototypes (clip-on flat badge form and vertical tubular badge form) were designed and 3D-printed. The dosimeters were modeled with 3D CAD software in order to rapidly generate workable prototypes that were used to perform “field tests”.

FIG. 6A depicts a device (1) comprising plural sections (2 a-2 d) of sorbent on a substrate (3). Each section comprises about the same amount of sorbent.

FIG. 6B depicts a device (5) comprising plural sections (6-9) of sorbent on a substrate (4). Two or more of the sections comprise different amounts of sorbent.

The sectioned devices (1, 5) can be used to provide plural sorbent samples having the same exposure to (content of) VOC or SVOC. In preferred embodiments, the device comprises 2-4 sections of sorbent. Such a device allows a user to obtain samples for different exposure time limits from a single device, e.g. one or more of the sections undergo exposure according to a first period having a first time limit, and one or more of the sections undergo a exposure according to a second period having a different second time limit. For example, one or more section can undergo a 15-min time limit exposure, one or more sections can undergo an 8-hr time limit exposure. Moreover, a device having plural sections of sorbent can provide samples that can be analyzed by different techniques.

The dosimeter (10) of FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B is a clip-on style badge dosimeter comprising a removable impermeable membrane or cover (11), cap (12) with port, diffuser (13) with ports, o-ring (14), protective mesh cover (15), retainer ring (16), body (17). The body comprises plural one or more cavity (18) for placement of sorbent. In this particular embodiment, the cap is engaged to the body threaded engagement means; however, any other means are suitable, e.g. snap-fit, threaded. The dosimeter optionally further comprises mounting means for attaching the dosimeter to another object during use or storage.

The body can be molded from a non-reactive polymer and covered with a permeable cavity covering to facilitate replacement and subsequent analysis of the exposed sorbent. Thus, users can simply replace the utilized sorbent cavity with a fresh adsorbent pack and reuse the rest of the badge. The sorbent is secured inside the badge by using an o-ring (suitable material is Viton®) (blend of synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer), which minimizes exposure of the sorbent. Undesired exposure of the sorbent is achieved using a removable impermeable cap covering, e.g. a sheet made from fluorinated plastic sheets such as Kynar® PVDF or Tedlar® PFA. The easy-to-peel cap covering can be secured with adhesive or can be sonically welded to the cap. Three prototype clip-on badges (with dimensions of 55.0×35.6×14.6 mm) for initial testing were printed using laser-sintered nylon provided by Shapeways.

The sorbent material cavity, housing thickness, and exposure aperture could be optimized to facilitate maximum vapor exposure (diffusion) during use and to prevent vapor loss (effusion) during storage and while en route for analysis.

Field tests were conducted according to Example 1 on dosimeter badges prototypes of FIGS. 8 and 14 by exposing them to vanillin vapors. The vapors originated from four open containers of 3″ in diameter that contained 2 g of pure vanillin powder placed inside an office room with dimensions of 15′×17′×7.5′. Two different experiments were conducted for 15 min and 8 h, corresponding to the standard short-term and long-term OSHA exposures. The maximum vanillin concentration in air corresponding to that of its saturated vapor is very low and is equal to 0.16 ppm. The sorbent from the dosimeter badge exposed to vanillin was analyzed by a mass spectrometer.

The dosimeter exposed to the air containing vanillin vapor for 8 hours exhibited two characteristic mass spectrometry peaks at m/z=151 and 152 with the peak ratio identical to that of pure vanillin vapor. While the dosimeter exposed for 15 minutes recorded significantly lower amounts of vanillin vapor, it is consistent with the very low pressure of vanillin vapor at room temperature. For sorbent sample exposed to vanillin vapor for 8 hours, the adsorbed vanillin content measured was below 0.5 μg, which corresponds to the estimated sampling rate of around 1 mL/min. This value was very close to the magnitudes obtained for other target compounds with low vapor pressures (for example 1,2,4- trimethylbenzene and xylene), indicating the technical feasibility of the dosimeter's application to provide exposure-monitoring data for long-term monitoring of non-volatile compounds with extremely low vapor pressures.

To capture the widest range of analytes based on their vapor concentrations in air (volatile versus non-volatile compounds), the sorbent surface exposure in a dosimeter can be adjusted. For example, in longer exposures to target compounds with relatively high vapor pressures, the exposed area should be minimized in order to prevent early sorbent saturation, while at shorter exposure durations (especially for analytes with low vapor pressures), the exposed sorbent area should be as high as possible. This can be achieved by varying the number of exposure ports/slits in the dosimeter cover, effectively varying the exposed fraction of the sorbate to the environment by controlling the number of port open.

The device (25) of FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the dosimeter, which is of a circular badge format. It comprises a body (30) having at one or more cavities (31), each of which is adapted to retain sorbent or a substrate comprising sorbent. The body can comprise a partial cover (32) for the cavity. The dosimeter further comprises a diffuser (27) engaged to the body. The diffuser comprises plural ports having mesh-type or lattice-type coverings (28, which may or may not be integral with the cap). The dosimeter further comprises a cover (26) engaged with the cap and slidable in relation to the cap, whereby it can be moved to cover or uncover one or more ports of the cap. The cover comprises one more ports (26 b) and one or more lids (26 a). The ports provide exposure of the diffuser to the atmosphere and the lids block exposure of the diffuser to the atmosphere.

The sorbent can be placed in the cavity in any form desired, but if it is included as a powder, then the ports of the cap will comprise a porous, permeable or perforated cover to help retain the sorbent within the cavity(ies). The sorbent can also be placed as a powder in a sachet or porous bag, in which case the covering of the ports is optional. When fully assembled and before deployment for use, the cavity(ies) are sealed and isolated from the outer environment, thereby avoiding contamination of the sorbent. During use, the cover is moved/slid/rotated, and the sorbent is exposed to the atmosphere. After use, the cover can be used to reseal the badge for storage. As needed, one or more of the portions (sections) of sorbent are then removed from the dosimeter and subject to analytical testing for quantitation of captured VOC and SVOC.

FIG. 11A and 11B depict perspective views of the device (10) of FIG. 10. In FIG. 11A, the cover (16) is covering the three ports of the cap (13). In FIG. 11B, the cover has been slid away from the ports, thereby leaving them uncovered and exposed to the atmosphere.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an alternate dosimeter (40), which is of a rod/tube or pen/cartridge type format, comprising a hollow body cover (43) engaged to a capture assembly (41). The dosimeter optionally further comprises a fastener (42 a, e.g. a clip), whereby the dosimeter can be attached to another object during use and/or storage. The dosimeter optionally further comprises a receptacle (42b) adapted to receive a fastener or holder (not shown).

The hollow body cover (43, FIG. 13A) comprises an opening (44) and an optional pedestal (45). The cover is adapted to receive and removably retain the capture assembly (41, FIG. 13B) comprising a hollow diffuser (46a) and a cartridge holder (41b, FIG. 13C). The diffuser comprises plural ports (46) and is adapted to receive and removably retain the cartridge-holder (41 b), which comprises plural sorbent-containing cartridges (48 a, 48 b) held in place by a retainer (47) comprising engagements (49 a, 49 b). When fully assembled and before deployment for use, the cartridges are sealed and isolated from the outer environment, thereby avoiding contamination of the sorbent in the cartridges. During use, the cover is removed, and the cartridges are exposed to the atmosphere. After use, the cover can be used to reseal the badge for storage. As needed, one or more of the cartridges are then removed from the dosimeter and subject to analytical testing for quantitation of captured VOC and SVOC. FIG. 13B depicts the capture assembly with the cover (43) removed such that the plural ports are visible, thereby exposing the cartridges (48 a, 48 b) to the atmosphere to permit capture of VOC and SVOC. FIG. 13C depicts the cartridge holder (41 b) with disengaged from the diffuser (41 a) and the cover (43).

FIG. 14 depicts an alternate embodiment (50) of the body/cartridge format device of the invention. The device comprises a cover (51) and a cartridge-holder (52) within which one or more sorbent-containing cartridges (53) are disposed. The cover is engageable with the cartridge-holder to provide a sealed environment and to isolate the cartridges from the atmosphere of an environment of use. The cartridge-holder comprises plural ports (54) to permit exposure of the cartridges while at the same time protection of the cartridges. This device has increased surface area and contains the sorbent in a cartridge embedded in a glass-microfiber filter paper. In an alternate embodiment, the cartridge is disengaged from the cartridge-holder and inserted into the cover for containment. The device is assembled by inserting the head (55) of the cartridge holder into a hole (56) at the base of the cover (51) and so that the head (55) exits the hole (57) at the head of the cover.

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict alternate assembled arrangements of the device (65) comprising diffuser (68), cartridge holder (69), and covers (66, 67). In FIG. 15A, the covers superpose the ports of the diffuser, thereby sealing the interior of the device and avoiding exposure of the sorbent to the environment. In FIG. 15B, the covers superpose the rear of the device, thereby exposing the ports (75, 76 of FIG. 16) of the diffuser and the sorbent to the environment of use. FIG. 16 depicts an exploded view of the assembled device of FIG. 15B. The cover (66) comprises engagements (77) adapted to temporarily engage the cover with body of the diffuser (68) and/or the cartridge holder (69). The plural sorbent-containing cartridges (74) are placed in respective plural receptacles (72) of the holder (69) and held in place with plural respective retainers (73). In an alternate arrangement, the cover (66) superposes the ports (75), and the cover (67) does not superpose the ports (76), thereby allowing exposure of sorbent beneath the ports (76) but not of sorbent beneath the ports (75). In a likewise but opposite fashion of yet another an alternate arrangement, the cover (67) superposes the ports (76), and the cover (66) does not superpose the ports (75), thereby allowing exposure of sorbent beneath the ports (75) but not of sorbent beneath the ports (76).

As discussed above, a device comprising plural sections (portions) of sorbent that can be sealed independently of one another can be used to obtain, from a single device, samples having different exposure time limits.

FIG. 17 depicts an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a device (80) comprising a two-part cover (81), two-part diffuser (82 a, 82 b), and sorbent holder (83), which comprises plural chambers (receptacles, 84) that retain sorbent or substrate comprising sorbent. The chambers optionally comprise plural ports (85) that are optionally covered with respective port caps (86). The two-part diffuser (81) comprises an upper portion (82 b) and a lower portion (82 a) each of which superposes respective receptacles (84) of the holder. The cover (81) comprises an upper portion (81 a) and a lower portion (81 b). During storage, the portions (81 a, 81 b) of the cover superpose and seal respective portions (82 b, 82 a) and receptacles (84). During use, one or more receptacles can be exposed to the environment of use as follows. The upper portion (81 a) of the cover can be removed, thereby exposing the upper portion (82 b) of the diffuser and its respective receptacle comprising sorbent therein. Alternatively, the lower portion (81 b) of the cover can be removed, thereby exposing the lower portion (82 a) of the diffuser and its respective receptacle comprising sorbent therein. Alternatively, both portions of the cover can be removed to expose all receptacles to the environment of use. During use, one of more of the port caps (86) can be removed from the ports (85) to increase diffusion of air through the device and maximize entrapment of VOC or SVOC.

In order to facilitate sorbent removal for analysis of VOC or SVOC entrapped therein, the diffuser portions (82 a, 82 b) can be removed separately. In this manner, some portions (sections) of sorbent can be analyzed while others are retained with the device for storage.

FIG. 18 depicts a pen-type device (90) comprising a cartridge-holder (94), sorbent-containing cartridge (96), diffuser body (91) and movable cover (93). After loading one or more cartridges onto the cartridge-holder, they are together inserted into the diffuser body in the direction of arrow B. The device optionally comprises a retainer, e.g. clip, for securing the device to a user during use. During storage, the cover (93) covers diffuser ports (92) and prevents exposure of the cartridge(s) to the open atmosphere. During use, the cover (93) is slid in the direction of arrow A, thereby exposing the diffuser ports and cartridge(s) to the environment of use. Removal of the cartridge is achieved by disengaging the cartridge-holder from the diffuser body in the reverse direction of arrow B.

FIG. 19 depicts an exploded view of another device (100) of the invention comprising a cap (105), sorbent-holder diffuser (103), and hollow-body cover (101). The sorbent-holder diffuser comprises a receptacle (104) for holding sorbent or sorbent-containing substrate, and it also comprises plural ports whereby the receptacle can be exposed to the exterior. The hollow-body cover receives and temporarily retains the diffuser by insertion thereof (along arrow C) into a receptacle (102) of the cover. The cap (105) is independently engageable with the diffuser and the hollow-body cover. For example, two-stage engagement can be employed, whereby the cap engages the cover with first-stage engagement and engages the diffuser with second-stage engagement.

Sorbent can be employed as loose powder, layer adhered to a substrate, sorbent containing cartridges, or other such forms (tablets, pellets, sachets). Suitable forms, such as a cartridge or tube, containing sorbent can be made by using a porous or gas-permeable material to retain the sorbent. The pores of the material would have to be smaller than the average particle size of the sorbent but large enough to permit diffusion of gas from the environment and into the sorb ent.

A particularly useful material is porous PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene; e.g. Teflon®) tubes for holding non-functionalized OSU-6 sorbent inside the housing of the injection molded dosimeters. Porous PTFE tubes and sheets including porous PTFE tube from Markel Corporation can be used. Some suitable tubes have a 3.5 mm OD (outer diameter), 3.0 mm ID, (inner diameter) and mean pore size of about 0.58 microns and maximum pore size of 1.98 microns. The sorbent cartridges provide ease of sorbent transfer into the cavities of (0.25″×3.5″) of thermal desorber tubes (for recovery through thermal desorption) and/or 2 mL GC/MS vials for recovery through the solvent extraction analysis technique. The ends of the PTFE tube can be sealed with plugs or beads.

Sorbent can be easily analyzed for entrapped VOC or SVOC by thermal desorption using thermogravimetry equipment. The sorbent or sorbent-containing substrate is simply placed in a sealed container and heated to a temperature above the desorption temperature of the target analyte (VOC or SVOC). An aliquot of the headspace of the container is then obtained and injected into a gas chromatograph. Alternatively, the sealed container is conductively engaged with the injection chamber of the gas chromatograph where, upon heating of the container and cartridge, a sample of the headspace of the container is obtained and analyzed. In some embodiments, the container is sealed with a septum.

In some embodiments, a device of the invention includes ports (vents) that are fully or partially opened or are adjustable as to extent of opening to optimize the sampling rate for the nature of the target analytes and the workplace. Workplaces with volatile organics may require small openings, while workers using relatively non-volatile materials or material in low concentration (i.e. regents, pesticides) will require larger openings to optimize the absorption and analysis.

The device of the invention can be used for, among other things: a) Operational testing to monitor personal levels to chemicals in and around natural gas plants, oil refineries and fueling operations; b) Operational testing to monitor personal exposure levels in and around multiple industrial operations to include construction (facilities management, air conditioning and refrigeration systems maintenance), health sciences (nursing and healthcare technicians), manufacturing (metal fabrication, machining, welding), and transportation and distribution logistics (automotive, diesel, pipeline etc.); c) Operational testing on tarmac to measure person exposure level monitoring in and around airport operations; d) to monitor personal exposure levels in and around demolition site, site grading, soil stabilization site, and concrete or asphalt paving site; e) field-testing for exposure to pesticides; f) investigate the monitoring of target compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds, and toxic organic halogenated dioxins and furans from burn pits without contaminating the environment or exposing people to the toxins; or g) combinations or two or more thereof.

The ability to uptake and stabilize VOC and SVOC allows for prolonged storage conducive to maintaining a repository of samples for future analysis. The sorbent exhibits exceptional adsorption capacity, rate of capture and a high propensity to stabilize even compounds such as acetaldehyde and methylene chloride. After adsorption of VOC or SVOC, the sorbent can be introduced directly into the sample chamber of an analytical instrument, e.g. gas chromatograph and/oror mass spectrometer, if desired, for rapid quantitation and/or identification of the adsorbed VOC or SVOC. In some embodiments, the sorbent retains an adsorbed VOC or SVOC even after exposure of a VOC-containing or SVOC-containing sorbent to a temperature of up to about 50° C. for a period of up to about 7 days.

FIG. 7 depicts a chart summarizing the relative mass changes measured for sorbate (compound) loaded sorbent samples and non-functionalized OSU-6 sorbents after 14 weeks of storage at +24° C. Negative values indicate mass gains caused by the moisture adsorption on the sorbent surface. Majority of the exposed sorbent samples retained over 80% of the adsorbed sorbate (captured analyte) over 18 weeks. Little to no compound (sorbate) was lost from the sorbent upon extended storage at room temperature (about 24° C.) and ambient pressure over a period of 14 weeks, when the data was normalized for variation due to moisture sorption/desorption.

Once the badge is closed, the sorbent exhibits a high retention of the VOC and SVOC sorbate after capture thereof, meaning that little to none of the VOC or SVOC sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent during storage at room temperature. In some embodiments, the sorbate loses less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, less than about 2.5%, or less than about 1% of its initial mass during storage.

The sorbent stabilizes the VOC and SVOC sorbate against chemical degradation during storage. In some embodiments, the sorbate undergoes less than 5% or its initial mass due to chemical degradation during storage at room temperature (+24° C.) or in the refrigerator (+6° C.).

The exemplary embodiments herein should not be considered exhaustive, but merely illustrative of only a few of the many embodiments contemplated by the present invention.

Unless otherwise specified, values indicated herein should be understood as being limited by the term “about”. As used herein, the term “about” is taken to mean a value that is within ±10%, ±5% or ±1% of the indicated value. For example, “about 6” is taken to mean 6 ±10%, 6±5% or 6±1%.

The entire disclosures of all documents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

EXAMPLES

The following materials and procedures are used to prepare exemplary embodiments of the invention and to demonstrate exemplary uses thereof.

Non-functionalized OSU-6 and the functionalized OSU-6 sorbents disclosed herein are products of XPLOSAFE, LLC (Stillwater, Okla.).

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Improved Non-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica MCM-41 Type

The mesoporous silica of the invention was prepared according to a modified method of Apblett et al. (“Preparation of mesoporous silica with grafted chelating agents for uptake of metal ions” in Chemical Engineering Journal (2009), 155(3), 916-9240) or AlOthman et al. (“Synthesis and characterization of a hexagonal mesoporous silica with enhanced thermal and hydrothermal stabilities”, in Applied Surface Science (2010), 256, 3573-3580), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A templating solution was prepared first by dissolving 284.0 g (1.08 mol) of 1-hexadecylamine (HDA) in 1040 mL of distilled water at room temperature, sonicating for 5-10 min to produce foamy and uniform paste. A second solution was prepared by mixing 524 g (2.4 moles) of tetraethylorthosilicate, 448 mL (0.96 moles) of ethanol and 96 mL (1.6 moles) of isopropanol in under magnetic stirring at room temperature for about 45 min. The first solution was stirred for 40 min followed by the addition of 1000 mL of 1.0 M HCl solution in increments over 10-15 minutes and then the second solution in a three-necked round-bottom flask. After 5 min of stirring, 148 mL (1.2 moles) of auxiliary organic mesitylene was added to the reaction mixture, which was then stirred for an additional 25 min. After that, the stirring was stopped, and 1600 mL of distilled water was added to the mixture, which was swirled to mix and then left to age for 7 days at room temperature. The resulting solid was recovered by filtration, washed with distilled water and ethanol (three times) using a fine filter funnel.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Improved Functionalized Mesoporous Silica MCM-41 Type

Briefly, 10 g of OSU-6 powder was refluxed in 100 mL of dry toluene for four hours in dry atmosphere followed by washing with dry toluene and drying at 80° C. under vacuum. The resulting material was mixed in 100 mL of dry toluene with 20 mL of trimethylamine (TEA) and stirred for around an hour at room temperature. The obtained solid was filtered off with a fine filter funnel, washed with 50 mL of dry toluene three times, and vacuum-dried. During the first functionalization step, 3.0 g (˜50 mmol) of the TEA-reacted OSU-6 was refluxed with 50 mmol of a functionalizing agent in 100 mL of dry toluene for 48 hours under N2 atmosphere. The resulting solid mixture was filtered off with a fine filter funnel and washed three times, first with 50 mL of toluene and then with ethanol to remove any remaining functionalizing agent. The obtained white solid was dried at 80° C. under vacuum for 24 hours. The described procedure was then repeated with 2 g of the functionalized OSU-6 to investigate the effect of the multi-step functionalization on the density of functional groups attached to the surface of the functionalized sorbent.

EXAMPLE 3 Characterization of Properties of Mesoporous Silica Pore Size and Pore Volume:

This is determined according to the procedure of Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (B J H) model (“The determination of pore volume and area distributions in porous substances. I. Computations from nitrogen isotherms” in J.A.C.S. (1951), 73, 373-380). 20-point N₂ adsorption and desorption Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherms were recorded for each powder. Exemplary nitrogen isotherms for the non-functionalized (FIG. 2A) and methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized (MP-functionalized) mesoporous silica (FIG. 2B) were obtained.

FIG. 2A contains type IV isotherms, which are associated with the capillary condensation of adsorbate into mesopores, while the observed hysteresis of type A indicates that pores of the mesoporous silica have cylindrical shapes. After functionalization (FIG. 2B), the hysteresis disappears, and the adsorption-desorption isotherms assumed the shapes of type II isotherms due to the attachment of functional groups to the pore walls.

The pore size distributions of the functionalized and non-functionalized sorbents analyzed using the BJH model are shown in FIG. 3. The plots of the differential volumes versus average pore radii indicate that the average pore diameter for non-functionalized mesoporous silica (corresponding to the maximum value of dV/dr) amounts to about 10 nm. However, this value is significantly reduced after functionalization to as low as 2 nm.

The surface area was also determined. The following table summarizes the observed approximate surface area for some of the different sorbents.

BET Surface Area Measurement Density Decomposition Sorbent (m²/g) (nm⁻²) Temperature/° C. OSU-6 570 N/A OT-OSU-6 390 1.5 215 MP-OSU-6 290 1.2 250 BP-OSU-6 420 1.4 145

A decrease in the BET surface area by a factor of about 3-4 or more (from 550 m²/g down to 170 m²/g) was observed for functionalized mesoporous silica as compared to non-functionalized mesoporous silica. In all cases, the surface coverage of all functional groups (calculated from the results of thermogravimetric analysis and measured BET surface area) amounted to 1.1-1.3 groups/nm².

The measured BET surface area was reduced from the initial 570 m²/g for pure OSU-6 to 290-420 m²/g for the functionalized OSU-6 sorbents, which was consistent with the presence of various functional groups on the pore surface. in addition, the table also includes the functional group densities (per nm² of the OSU-6 pore surface) and the decomposition temperatures determined from the TGA spectra recorded at a heating rate of 5° C./min. According to the TGA results, the attached functional groups with densities of 1.2-1.5 nm⁻² are stable at temperatures below 145-250° C. depending on the functionalizing agent. Thus, all functionalized sorbates have sufficiently high decomposition temperatures to allow their use in extreme environments.

Channel Wall Thickness:

This is determined from TEM images using the procedure reported by A. AlOthman and Allen W. Apblett (“Synthesis and characterization of a hexagonal mesoporous silica with enhanced thermal and hydrothermal stabilities”, in Applied Surface Science (2010), 256, 3573-3580). In brief, wall thickness is measured using the microscope and by visual comparison of image details to the image scale.

Confirmation of Functionalization:

Confirmation of functionalization of the mesoporous silica was obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

The FTIR spectrum for the OSU-6 sorbent was characterized by two main features at 796 and 1052 cm⁻¹ (corresponding to the Si—O—Si silica vibrations) and a small peak at 974 cm⁻¹ resulting from the —OH hydroxyl groups attached to the pore surface. A broad adsorption band was observed at around 3400 cm⁻due to the —OH stretching vibrations of physisorbed water species. In the octyl- and methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized OSU-6, a band representing the C—H stretching vibrations of the attached alkyl groups was clearly observed at around 2900 cm⁻¹, while the peaks at 695 cm⁻¹ and 758 cm⁻¹ detected for the biphenyl-functionalized OSU-6 were due to the sp² C—H bending of the attached biphenyl groups.

FIGS. 22A and 22B depict exemplary FTIR spectra for (1) pure OSU-6, (2) methoxytriethylenoxypropyl-functionalized OSU-6, (3) biphenyl-functionalized OSU-6, and (4) octyl-functionalized OSU-6 powders.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Sorbent Comprising a Mixture of Non-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica and Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Method A:

A known amount of non-functionalized mesoporous silica is mixed with a known amount of functionalized mesoporous silica to provide a mesoporous silica mixture.

The weight ratio of non-functionalized mesoporous silica to functionalized mesoporous silica can range from about 1:100 to about 100:1 with all integer and fractional values therein or therebetween being contemplated.

Method B:

Sorbents comprising physical mixtures of one, two or three mesoporous silicas were prepared according to the following table, which indicates the weight percent of each.

OSU-6 MP-OSU-6 BP-OSU-6 Composition (% wt) (% wt) (% wt) 1 100 0 0 2 90 10 0 3 80 20 0 4 70 30 0 5 90 0 10 6 80 0 20 7 70 0 30 8 80 10 10 9 70 20 10 10 60 30 10 11 70 10 20 12 70 10 30 13 60 20 20 14 50 20 30 15 50 30 20 16 40 30 30

The mixtures were prepared by mixing measured amounts of each component and mixing the components together to form the target composition under ambient conditions.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Various Forms of Mesoporous Silica Sorbent Pellets:

Pure sorbent powder was also pressed into 6-mm and 12-mm circular pellets using a die. The 12-mm pellets were produced by utilizing a manual pellet press (CARVER 4350.L) under an applied force of 2 tons and exposure time of 90 seconds, while the 6-mm pellets were manufactured by an automated pellet press (TDP-7) under 4 tons of applied force (FIG. 6). No reduction in surface area at this relatively low pressure was detected. Even after pressing the sorbent powder into a pellet, the measured surface area per gram was not substantially reduced until the pressure reached 8 tons, at which a reduction in surface area of around 20-25% was observed. To ensure the durability of the pressed 6-mm pellets, 20 wt. % of cellulose was added to the pure sorbent powder before pressing. All pellets were annealed in an oven at 600° C. for 24 hours prior to sorption experiments to remove any traces of organic impurities and the cellulose binder.

Sorbent Thin Film:

A thin film of sorbent was produced using a drop casting technique according to the method of Zhu et al. (“High-performance humidity sensors based on quartz crystal micro-balance coated with mesoporous silica MCM-41 thin film” in Materials Technology (2017), 32, 101-104, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference).

Sorbent powder containing 50 wt. % of OSU-6, 30 wt. % of BP-OSU-6, and 20 wt. % of BP-OSU-6 was suspended in solvent, e.g. alcohol such as ethanol. About 100-200 microgram of sorbent powder was deposited as a thin film onto a glass/quartz/polymer surface. Briefly, a suspension of sorbent powder in ethanol with a concentration of 2 mg/mL was prepared by ultrasonication and then deposited on a substrate surface using a pipette. The obtained film was dried in air followed by annealing at 85° C. for 5-10 min inside a furnace to completely remove any trace of ethanol thereby leaving the thin film of sorbent adhered onto the substrate.

EXAMPLE 6 Capture/Uptake/Adsorption and Recovery of VOC or SVOC with Mesoporous Silica Capture/Uptake

A known amount of mesoporous silica is exposed to a gaseous atmosphere (at ambient temperature (about 22-25° C.) and ambient pressure (about 1013 mbar) containing the target VOC or SVOC.

More specifically, the 6 mm diameter sorbent pellets and the target VOC or SVOC were placed in a closed chamber under ambient conditions. The interior atmosphere of the chamber was equilibrated under ambient conditions for a period of 15 min or at least 8 hours, whereby volatized compound adsorbed onto the sorbent. Uptake of contaminant vapors inside the sorbent pores was evaluated by measuring the weight gain or uptake of the target compound material after fixed time intervals. The adsorption process was considered complete when the sorbent mass stopped increasing with time.

The table below indicates the approximate (“about”) uptake capacity and rate of capture for OSU-6 exposed to the listed compounds. The rate of capture was obtained by fitting the capture over time data with an exponential function equation corresponding to first-order adsorption kinetics. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict additional adsorption/desorption data.

Uptake capacity Class Target compound (g/g sorbent) Polynuclear Naphthalene  0.221 ± 0.006* Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Alcohol Ethanol 1.69 ± 0.01 Anesthetic (solvent) Diethyl ether 0.762 ± 0.005 Disinfectant Chloroxylenol 0.46 Organic acid Acetic acid 2.33 Reactive monomer Methylmethacrylate 2.29 Carbonyl Compounds Acetaldehyde 3.9 ± 0.2 Acetone 1.329 ± 0.005 Vinyl acetate 1.34 ± 0.02 Acrolein 1.16 ± 0.05 Fuels Hexane 0.94 ± 0.01 Octane  0.98 ± 0.05* Xylene 1.216 ± 0.008 Benzene 1.268 ± 0.006 1,2,4- 1.239 ± 0.007 Trimethylbenzene Chlorinated solvents Methylene chloride 2.11 ± 0.05 Trichloroethylene 2.10 ± 0.01 Organophosphates Dichlorvos  0.286 ± 0.009* Malathion 0.47 Nitramines RDX  0.21 ± 0.03* Pyrethroids Permethrin  0.112 ± 0.007* Nitroaromatics TNT 0.109 ± 0.006 Tetrazoles 1,2,3,4-tetrazole  0.127 ± 0.008* 5-aminotetrazole  0.021 ± 0.003* Chlorocarbons PCB 209  0.074 ± 0.005* Organochlorines PCBs/PCDFs/PCDDs *Measured for 6-mm sorbent pellets. For samples not marked with an asterisk, the sorbent was in powder form.

Additional evaluations were made to compare side-by-side the uptake of VOC and SVOC by three different forms of OSU-6. The table below summarizes the results observed.

Adsorption Target compound and Saturation its room temperature Sorbent Capacity time vapor pressure (OSU-6) (g/g sorbent) (h) Acetaldehyde Powder 3.9 ± 0.2 12 (101 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.33 ± 0.01 2 6-mm pellet 1.29 ± 0.03 6 Methylene chloride Powder 2.11 ± 0.05 19 (53 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.50 ± 0.01 2 6-mm pellet 1.69 ± 0.04 15 Acrolein Powder 1.16 ± 0.05 24 (37 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.37 ± 0.01 5 6-mm pellet 0.77 ± 0.03 8 Hexane Powder 0.94 ± 0.01 43 (19 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.260 ± 0.006 10 6-mm pellet 0.61 ± 0.03 25 Vinyl acetate Powder 1.34 ± 0.02 80 (11 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.396 ± 0.007 3 6-mm pellet 1.08 ± 0.04 10 Benzene Powder 1.268 ± 0.006 70 (10 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.327 ± 0.003 10 6-mm pellet 1.06 ± 0.05 30 Xylene Powder¹ 1.216 ± 0.008 750 (1.1 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.334 ± 0.009 15 6-mm pellet 0.85 ± 0.08 10 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene Powder 1.239 ± 0.007 2000 (0.28 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.394 ± 0.007 100 6-mm pellet 1.2 ± 0.1 100 Naphthalene Powder (0.013 kPa) 12-mm pellet 0.274 ± 0.005 4000 6-mm pellet 0.221 ± 0.006 900

The capacity typically increased for the three different forms of sorbent in the following order: 12-mm pellet<6 mm pellet<powder, meaning the powdered sorbent typically exhibited the highest capacity. The saturation time typically increased for the three different forms of sorbent in the following order: 12-mm pellet<6 mm pellet<powder, meaning the powdered sorbent typically exhibited the highest saturation time.

Recovery by Solvent Extraction

In some embodiments, recovery was conducted by solvent extraction. The compound-loaded sorbent was treated with solvent known to be able to dissolve the target VOC or SVOC. A sample of the compound-containing solvent was then analyzed by GC/MS (gas chromatograph equipped with mass spectrometer detector). In order to develop calibration curves, control samples of sorbent (25 mg) containing known amounts of target compound were prepared by placing known amounts of sorbent on a microbalance and spiking the sorbent with known amounts of target compound. Sorbent was then extracted with a predetermined amount of solvent (2.0 g) and aliquots of the compound-containing solvent were analyzed by GC/MS.

Extraction was performed with 2 mL of acetonitrile, and analyses were run with the GC/MS in the SIM mode using the known molecular weights of the target compounds. The detection limits and quantitation limits were calculated from the average number of counts and the standard deviation of nine blank samples. Using these protocols, the amounts of the analytes sorbed in OSU-6 when exposed at their PEL limits for 15 minutes and 8 hours were determined.

Quanti- Recovery Detection tation efficiency limit limit Class Target compound (%) (ng) (ng) Polynuclear Naphthalene 92.9 5920 7220 hydrocarbons Carbonyl Acetaldehyde compounds Acrolein Vinyl acetate 100 162 212 Fuels Benzene 97.0 16.4 20.9 n-Hexane 100 55.8 92.8 n-Octane 96.2 55.9 71.1 1,2,4- 92.3 10.3 18.0 Trimethylbenzene o-Xylene 94.9 19.6 26.2 Chlorinated Methylene 99.7 145.1 375.2 solvents chloride Trichloroethylene 91.1 22.1 29.4 Organophosphates Dichlorvos 96.6 Nitramines RDX 3830 4130 Pyrethroids Permethrin Nitroaromatics TNT 82.5 18.9 30.8 Tetrazoles 1,2,3,4-tetrazole 84.5 1240 2050 5-aminotetrazole Chlorocarbons PCB 209 organochlorines

EXAMPLE 7 Determination of Thermal Stability of Adsorbed Compound(s)

The stability and desorption kinetics of the captured compounds from the surface of non-functionalized and functionalized sorbent powders was determined by thermal desorption and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Glass vials containing compound-loaded sorbent powders, 12-mm pellets or 6-mm pellets were provided. The sorbate content in the sorbent pores, i.e. the weight of the sorbent powder, was monitored as a function of temperature in the range from about 25-200° C. (which was ramped at a rate of 5° C./min in a thermogravimetric analyzer). The table below lists the maximum desorption temperatures obtained from the TGA experiments for some of the tested compounds adsorbed on the surfaces of non-functionalized and functionalized OSU-6 sorbent powders with initial contents of VOC or SVOC between 15 and 40 wt. %.

OSU-6 OT-OSU-6 BP-OSU-6 MP-OSU-6 (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) Hexane 50 44 45 43 Benzene 63 41 45 46 Xylene 110 86 80 95 Acetaldehyde 52 43 42 45 Vinyl acetate 53 45 51 54 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene 130 100 105 110 Acrolein 50 48 46 52 Naphthalene 140 110 145 120

An exemplary thermograph for desorption of benzene from the above different sorbents is depicted in FIG. 5.

EXAMPLE 8 Determination of Storage Stability

The storage stability of the compound-loaded sorbent toward desorption upon long-term storage was determined.

VOC-loaded or SVOC-loaded sorbent was placed inside an evaluated and chosen zip-locked Poly Mylar bag with a tear notch and its stability monitored at different temperatures. In addition, short-term storage studies were completed for a subset of the compounds (acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, and vinyl acetate) in zip-locked Poly Mylar bags at +24° C., which were subsequently analyzed by both mass spectrometry and by measuring the mass change after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 14 days. This data developed a case for using PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) bag having a wall thickness of at least 3 mil as a viable and practical container for the sorbent/dosimeter transfer to and from the field. Those bags exhibit high stability, high melting point, low sorption capacity and chemical inertness. As a control and to quantify the moisture effect on the stored bags, unexposed OSU-6, activated carbon, and Tenax samples were prepared for each storage batch.

The mass changes measured with respect to the sum of the sorbent and sorbate masses were determined. Negative values denoted mass losses, while positive values denote the mass gain potentially due to moisture adsorption. As a control and to quantify the moisture effect on the stored bags, blank OSU-6, activated carbon, and Tenax samples (without a contaminant) were prepared for each storage batch.

Two “industry-standard” sorbent media (activate charcoal and Tenax TA 6-80) served as control groups for long-term storage studies. Selection of the specific grade of activated charcoal was based on the information presented in the OSHA Technical Manual (Section II: Chapter 1, Personal Sampling for Air Contaminants). The standards listed in that document were derived from the OSHA research efforts conducted at the Salt Lake City Technical Center (SLTC) and the Cincinnati Technical Center (CTC), which were subsequently validated by both OSHA and NIOSH for air monitoring applications. “Charcoal Tubes” containing 100 mg of 20 mesh activated charcoal and 50 mg of 40 mesh activated charcoal were used the sorbent media utilized for OSHA-approved monitoring techniques. Tenax TA 60-80 mesh was selected as the polymer-based sorbent media standard.

Storage samples for the sorbent of the invention analyzed after 60 days of storage at room temperature did not exhibit any decomposition or contamination products.

Data available indicated very long storage stability (over 3 years) for methylene chloride adsorbed onto the mesoporous silica of the invention when the methylene chloride-loaded sorbent samples were stored in a freezer. The samples retained the original mass spectrometry methylene chloride (m/z=49) intensity and showed no contamination or decomposition products. The obtained data provides preliminary feasibility towards the possibility of establishing an Exposure Monitor Repository where the dosimeter sorbent media can be stored for substantially longer periods (months to years) and retroactively analyzed as new methodology or new prioritized target compounds emerge.

Storage stability in terms of desorption of the VOC or SVOC from the sorbent was evaluated under the same conditions set forth above. OSU-6 with no compound adsorbed thereon was used as a control in order to account for the change in weight due to moisture sorption/desorption during the study period. The weight of the sorbent was measured on a weekly basis. The data (FIG. 7) indicate little to no compound (sorbate) was lost from the sorbent upon extended storage at room temperature (about 24° C.) and ambient pressure over a period of 14 weeks, when the data was normalized for variation due to moisture sorption/desorption.

EXAMPLE 9 Comparison of Non-functionalized and Functionalized Mesoporous Silica

The procedure of Example 6 was followed with the exception that either non-functionalized mesoporous silica or functionalized mesoporous silica was used. The following table summarizes the uptake capacities (g/g sorbent) for selected target analytes on OSU-6 and functionalized OSU-6 sorbents.

OSU-6 OT-OSU-6 BP-OSU-6 MP-OSU-6 Methylene 2.28 ± 0.08 1.86 ± 0.04 1.83 ± 0.05 1.69 ± 0.05 chloride Hexane 1.14 ± 0.01 0.91 ± 0.02 0.90 ± 0.03 0.83 ± 0.02 Benzene 1.49 ± 0.03 1.20 ± 0.02 1.17 ± 0.02 1.09 ± 0.02 Acetaldehyde 2.2 ± 0.1 1.14 ± 0.02 1.21 ± 0.05 1.38 ± 0.09 Vinyl acetate 1.58 ± 0.04 1.24 ± 0.02 1.24 ± 0.02 1.15 ± 0.03 Trichloro- 2.53 ± 0.03 2.03 ± 0.05 1.98 ± 0.03 1.79 ± 0.04 ethylene Acrolein 1.45 ± 0.05 1.44 ± 0.08 1.29 ± 0.08 1.29 ± 0.08

The data indicate that the uptake capacity of the sorbent decreases with surface functionalization which is mainly due to reduced surface area; however, an advantageous increase in the rate of uptake for specific target compounds was observed for the functionalized mesoporous silica.

EXAMPLE 10 Determination of Sampling Rate for VOC and SVOC

Sampling rates were determined for a wide range of compounds including n-octane, trichloroethylene, n-hexane, naphthalene, and TNT adsorbed on the surface of non-functionalized OSU-6 at exact PEL exposures for 15 min and 8 h inside a dosing chamber. The mass gain obtained after the sorbent exposure to analyte vapor is related to the sampling rate via the following equation, where M is the mass gain in ng, SR is the sampling rate in cm³/min, C is the concentration of analyte vapor in mg/m³, and t is the exposure time in min.

M=SR×C×t

The sampling rate SR can then be expressed as follows:

${SR} = \frac{M}{C \times t}$

The values of M were obtained from the results of the recovery via the solvent extraction technique described above. The calculated sampling rates are listed in the table below.

OSHA Sampling rate PEL (mL/min) Target limit XploSafe XploSafe Class compound (ppm) (15 min) (8 h) Polynuclear Naphthalene 10 — 3.3 hydrocarbons Carbonyl Acetaldehyde 100 32.1 3.2 compounds Acrolein 0.1 Vinyl acetate 10 3.6 3.9 Fuels Benzene 1 6.6 5.2 n-Hexane 50 12.7 2.8 n-Octane 300 6.8 2.7 1,2,4- 25 4.1 2.9 Trimethylbenzene o-Xylene 100 2.0 1.7 Chlorinated Methylene 25 108.9 15.4 solvents chloride Trichloroethylene 100 1.7 0.88 Organophosphates Dichlorvos 0.1 12.5 11.5 Nitramines RDX 0.2 Pyrethroids Permethrin 0.3 Nitroaromatics TNT 0.2 — 0.25 Tetrazoles 1,2,3,4-tetrazole — 5-aminotetrazole — Chlorocarbons PCB 209 0.025 organochlorines

EXAMPLE 11 Evaluation of Dosimeters

The clip-on dosimeter badge prototypes were exposed to vanillin vapors. The vapors originated from four open containers of 3″ in diameter that contained 2 g of pure vanillin powder placed inside an office room with dimensions of 15′×17′×7.5′. Two different experiments were conducted for 15 min and 8 h, corresponding to the standard short-term and long-term OSHA exposures. It must be noted that the maximum vanillin concentration in air corresponding to that of its saturated vapor is very low and is equal to 0.16 ppm.

The sorbent from the dosimeter badge exposed to vanillin was analyzed by a mass spectrometer (MS), and the obtained results are listed in the table below.

Vanillin MS Exposure intensity Estimated vanillin Sample time (m/z = 151) content Vanillin powder — 800,000 0.1 mg Dosimeter sorbent 15 min <500 Less than 0.06 microg Dosimeter sorbent 8 hours 4,000 Less than 0.5 microg

The dosimeter exposed to the air containing vanillin vapor for 8 hours exhibited two characteristic mass spectrometry peaks at m/z=151 and 152 with the peak ratio identical to that of pure vanillin vapor. While the dosimeter exposed for 15 minutes recorded significantly lower amounts of vanillin vapor (see Table 10), it is consistent with the very low pressure of vanillin vapor at room temperature (1.6×10⁻² Pa). Due to the very high sensitivity of the MS analyzer to vanillin vapor, the intensity of 800,000 corresponds to the vanillin powder amount as low as 0.1 mg. Thus, the upper limit of the adsorbed vanillin amount can be estimated from the intensity ratios listed in Table 10. For sorbent sample exposed to vanillin vapor for 8 hours, the adsorbed vanillin content would be below 0.5 micrograms, which also corresponds to the estimated sampling rate of around 1 mL/min.

The above is a detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. All embodiments disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure.

All integers and fractions within the limits/ranges specified herein are contemplated. 

1. A method of capturing one or more volatile organic compounds (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) from a gaseous atmosphere, the method comprising: exposing a mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type (hexagonal) to an atmosphere comprising the one or more VOC and/or one or more SVOC, thereby capturing the one or more VOC and/or one or more SVOC; wherein the mesoporous silica possesses a combination of two or more of the following physical properties: Property Linear formula SiO₂ polymer Pore structure Hexagonal tubes Pore size (diameter) about 2 to about 30 nm Pore volume about 0.5 to about 2.0 cm³/g Surface area greater than about 600 m²/g Channel wall thickness about 1 to about 5 nm.


2. A device for passive sampling of volatile organic compound or semi-volatile organic compound in air or gaseous environment, the device comprising: a sorbent holder comprising one or more unsealable or resealable chambers, at least one of said chambers comprising one or more portions of mesoporous silica sorbent of the MCM-41 type (hexagonal), wherein the mesoporous silica possesses a combination of two or more of the following physical properties: Property Linear formula SiO₂ polymer Pore structure Hexagonal tubes Pore size (diameter) about 2 to about 30 nm Pore volume about 0.5 to about 2.0 cm³/g Surface area greater than about 600 m²/g Channel wall thickness about 1 to about 5 nm.


3. A device for passive sampling of volatile organic compound or semi-volatile organic compound in air or gaseous environment, the device comprising: a sorbent holder comprising two or more separate and independently unsealable and independently resealable chambers, wherein a first one of said chambers comprises a first portion of sorbent, and a second one of said chambers comprises a second portion of sorbent.
 4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a diffuser comprising plural ports, pores or perforations through which said VOC or SVOC must pass to contact said portions of sorbent.
 5. A method of providing plural samples of sorbent differing in exposure time limit, the method comprising: providing a device comprising plural separate sections of sorbent, each section in a respective sealed receptacle; unsealing a first receptacle comprising a first section of sorbent, exposing said first section to VOC or SVOC for a first period of time, and then sealing the first receptacle; unsealing a second receptacle comprising a second section of sorbent, exposing said second section to VOC or SVOC for a second period of time, and then sealing the second receptacle; wherein the first and second receptacles can be unsealed at the same or different times.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein: a) the first and second receptacles are separately (independently) sealable; b) the first and second receptacles are separately (independently) unsealable; c) the first period of time is different than the second period of time; d) the first time period is the same as the second time period; e) both receptacles are unsealed at the same time; f) both receptacles are sealed at the same time; g) the receptacles are unsealed at different times; h) the receptacles are sealed at different times; i) the first period of time is less than the second period of time; j) the first period of time is greater than the first period of time; or k) a combination of any two or more thereof
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the mesoporous silica comprises: a) at least one non-functionalized mesoporous silica; b) at least one functionalized mesoporous silica; or c) a combination of one or more non-functionalized mesoporous silica and one or more functionalized mesoporous silica.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the weight ratio of non-functionalized mesoporous silica to functionalized mesoporous silica range from about 1:100 to about 100:1.
 9. The device of claim 2, wherein the sorbent has been functionalized with one or more adsorption modifier functional groups that improve in at least one aspect the adsorption of particular VOC or SVOC.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein: a) the one or more adsorption modifier functional groups are covalently bound to the porous medium; b) the one or more adsorption modifier functional groups are non-covalently bound to the porous medium; c) the mass content of functional groups in the porous medium as determined by thermogravimetric analysis is in the range of 20-25%; or d) a combination of any two or more thereof.
 11. The device of claim 2, wherein the sorbent is silane-functionalized mesoporous silica.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the silane functionalized mesoporous silica has been functionalized by treating unfunctionalized mesoporous silica with a trialkoxyalkylsilane (R¹Si(OR²)₃), wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of aromatic group, alkyl group, oxygen-containing alkyl groups, sulfur-containing alkyl groups, nitrogen-containing alkyl groups, phenyl, biphenyl, (C1-C8)-alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, undecanyl, methoxytriethyleneoxypropyl, alkoxyalkyleneoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, halo-(C1-C8)-alkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyaromatic, toluyl, fluoroalkyls, fluroaromatics, and their combinations; and R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, C1-C12-alkyl, with methyl, ethyl, and propyl being preferred, thereby forming a silane-functionalized mesoporous silica comprising plural silane groups R¹Si— covalently bound to oxygen molecules of the mesoporous silica.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the silane functionalized mesoporous silica comprises functional groups with a chemical formula defined as —Si(R¹)(OR²)_(n)—O_(m)—, wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of aromatic group, alkyl group, oxygen-containing alkyl group, phenyl, biphenyl, C1-C8-alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, undecanyl, methoxytriethyleneoxypropyl, alkoxyalkyleneoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyaromatic, and toluyl; R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, C1-C12-alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, and undecanyl, thereby forming a silane-functionalized mesoporous silica comprising plural silane groups R¹Si— covalently bound to oxygen molecules of the mesoporous silica; and wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, and m is 2, 1, or 0, respectively.
 14. The device of claim 2, the sorbent releases at least 75 wt % of adsorbed VOC or SVOC when the sorbent is exposed to heat or organic solvent.
 15. The device of claim 2, wherein the sorbent releases less than 25% of VOC or SVOC during storage at ambient temperature for a period of at least 1 week.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the mesoporous silica comprises: a) at least one non-functionalized mesoporous silica; b) at least one functionalized mesoporous silica; or c) a combination of one or more non-functionalized mesoporous silica and one or more functionalized mesoporous silica.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the sorbent has been functionalized with one or more adsorption modifier functional groups that improve in at least one aspect the adsorption of particular VOC or SVOC.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein: a) the one or more adsorption modifier functional groups are covalently bound to the porous medium; b) the one or more adsorption modifier functional groups are non-covalently bound to the porous medium; c) the mass content of functional groups in the porous medium as determined by thermogravimetric analysis is in the range of 20-25%; or d) a combination of any two or more thereof
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the sorbent is silane-functionalized mesoporous silica.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the silane functionalized mesoporous silica has been functionalized by treating unfunctionalized mesoporous silica with a trialkoxyalkylsilane (R¹Si(OR²)₃), wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of aromatic group, alkyl group, oxygen-containing alkyl groups, sulfur-containing alkyl groups, nitrogen-containing alkyl groups, phenyl, biphenyl, (C1-C8)-alkyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decanyl, undecanyl, methoxytriethyleneoxypropyl, alkoxyalkyleneoxyalkyl, haloalkyl, halo-(C1-C8)-alkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyaromatic, toluyl, fluoroalkyls, fluroaromatics, and their combinations; and R² is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, C1-C12-alkyl, with methyl, ethyl, and propyl being preferred, thereby forming a silane-functionalized mesoporous silica comprising plural silane groups R¹Si— covalently bound to oxygen molecules of the mesoporous silica.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the sorbent releases at least 75 wt % of adsorbed VOC or SVOC when the sorbent is exposed to heat or organic solvent.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the sorbent releases less than 25% of VOC or SVOC during storage at ambient temperature for a period of at least 1 week. 